On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers had five games against the Miami Marlins minor leaguers. All were on the Miami side of the complex except for Peoria 2’s game, which was on St. Louis’ diamonds, all at Roger Dean.

Only Peoria 2, the lowest-level club, was victorious. Not only did they shut out the Marlins’ fifth club, they almost no-hit them. Memphis (three hits) and Peoria 1 absorbed defeats, while Springfield and Palm Beach tied their Miami counterparts. The Cardinals’ spring record against external minor league competition drops to 4-7-3.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game stats. As always, the raw numbers are his, but the comments and players of the day are mine.

Sunday’s Player of the Day: Peoria 1 first baseman David Washington (pictured) went 2-for-3, including a home run, and drove in two.

Sunday’s Pitcher of the Day: Just like yesterday’s top pitcher, Lee Stoppelman, today’s selection, Dixon Llorens of Palm Beach, is a second-time honoree. The submariner retired all six batters faced, striking out half of them.

“AROUND THE HORN
* The Cardinals’ search for a shortstop currently appears dormant, but rival executives fully expect St. Louis to address the position before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, saying that Pete Kozma is not a full-season solution”

Brian, a couple guys who seem to be getting looks in minor league camp are Curtis and Albitz. Both have been considered organization guys rather than prospects, I believe. Is there any reason to re-think that? Maybe you could address it in an upcoming report, if there is anything there.

CC asked me about Curtis after I talked about him on my Rains radio interview the other day. Check out that thread. Net is that I see Curtis as the most-days 3B at Memphis. Albitz is getting a lot of action with Memphis early in camp because Jackson and Garcia had still been with StL and Lemmerman has been out, as you noted.

I had missed that whole thread, somehow. I had mentioned Curtis during the prospect vote discussion, but didn’t get any traction until the 50s. Albitz name never came up as far as I remember. I especially wish Albitz well because of his off field activities over the winter.

Coming into last season, we had ranked Curtis the #31 prospect in the system. A lot of what I wrote about him in December 2011 still applies. Albitz is undersized, but is a maximum effort player who is sound defensively. The first thing he said to me in camp was to thank me for supporting Gloves 4 Troops. A Major League person, for sure.

Curtis seems to have carried his ability to get on base with him through AA and into AAA so far. I can’t see where he has improved his power any. With his versatility, he could be useful at some point.